WATERBURY -- Hopes for an expansion of Post University into downtown offices appear to be fading.

University and local officials are working to bring hundreds of university support staff to downtown offices, moving some from leased offices in Middlebury and hiring some additional people. The university would maintain its campus in the city's west end. It's looking primarily for room to support its fast-growing online programs.

On Friday, a university spokesperson said efforts to put together an economic incentives package with state officials are not coming together quickly enough.

"Unfortunately, at this point, we are not optimistic we will be able to make this happen in a timeframe that makes sense for the university," Post spokeswoman Kelly Statmore said.

Statmore said the college had hoped to be part of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's premier "First Five" program. This is open to companies creating 200 or more jobs in the state. It also comes with huge benefits.

Home health benefits management firm CareCentrix moved its headquarters from East Hartford to Hartford and promised to add 300 new jobs by 2017 thanks to a promise of $24 million in state grants over five years under First Five, according to The Associated Press.

Statmore was a bit vague about the pressures driving Post. She did say that leases will expire shortly at leased Middlebury office space.

"We are hoping the things that need to happen happen quickly, but it's not looking all that optimistic," Statmore said.

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development spokesman James Watson, reached Monday, was only able to confirm that there have been discussions concerning the Post effort, but could not discuss specifics due to confidentiality concerns.

City Economic Development Director Ron Pugliese said he's working on a near-daily basis on this effort, and was not so pessimistic. He said the parties are "inching" closer to a deal.

Pugliese confirmed the university had looked at space in the former Sovereign Bank building, now vacant, near the city Green. Other downtown properties have been considered, Pugliese said, though he would not name them.

"I think this deal is still doable," Pugliese said. "We have to just continue to work at it. There are still some issues the state wants answered from Post's perspective."

What issues? Pugliese said state officials want to see a financial commitment on the part of Post, or the entity from which it would rent space, beyond simply the promised jobs.

"Somebody needs to put some private money into this deal," Pugliese said. "Right now, that's what the holdup is."

Mayor Neil M. O'Leary said city and state officials have been working hard to craft a deal. He could not fault state officials' efforts.

"I am grateful to the Department of Economic and Community Development for working so closely with the city to get this fantastic opportunity for the city accomplished," O'Leary said.

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wtbywtchdog wrote on Jan 22, 2013 10:18 PM:

" Seems like the mayor once again does not know how to pull together a deal. More lost revenue. "

" It's never going to happen. Post officials are holding the city hostage. They will only move downtown if the city agrees to build the university a state of the art indoor olympic regulation sports arena. Oh, the city would be able to use it around all the college athletic programs that have first bite. It would only cost 30 million or so of our taxpaying money to accomplish. "

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